Description
Though much-studied, Pauline soteriology can be seen afresh by giving focused attention to the apostle’s language and conception of sin. Sometimes Paul appears to present sin and disobedience as transgression, while at other times sin is personified as an enslaving power. Is there a single model or perspective that can account for Paul’s conceptual range in his discussion of sin? What does careful study of Paul’s letters reveal about the christological and pneumatological remedies to the problem of sin as he conceives of them? These questions are explored in the context of individual Pauline letters, building a richer understanding of the apostle’s attitude to sin and its remedy.
About the Author
Nijay K. Gupta is Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary, Illinois.
John K. Goodrich is Professor of Bible at Moody Bible Institute, Illinois.
Contents
Contributors
Preface
Abbreviations
1. Sin in Context: Ἁμαρτία in Greco-Roman and Jewish Literature
Nijay K. Gupta
2. Sin and Soteriology in Romans
Martinus C. de Boer
3. Sin and the Sovereignty of God in Romans
Bruce W. Longenecker
4. Models for Relating Sin as a Power to Human Activity in Romans 5:12–21
A. Andrew Das
5. Letters from the Battlefield: Cosmic Sin and Captive Sinners in 1 Corinthians
Alexandra R. Brown
6. Divine Generosity in the Midst of Conflict: Sin and Its Remedy in 2 Corinthians
Dominika Kurek-Chomycz
7. Sin, Slavery, Sacrifice, and the Spirit: The Human Problem and Divine Solution in Galatians
David A. deSilva
8. Dead in Your Trespasses: Sin as Infraction and Sphere of Power in Colossians and Ephesians
John K. Goodrich
9. “But I Never Intended . . .”: Implicit Hamartiology in the Thessalonian Correspondence
Andy Johnson
10. Re-Ordering the Household: Misalignment and Realignment to God’s οἰκονομία in 1 Timothy
George M. Wieland
Index of Modern Authors
Index of Ancient Documents
Endorsements and Reviews
With their IBR research group, Nijay Gupta and John Goodrich have spawned a miniature renaissance in the study of Pauline theology. Now with this book, and the series that it inaugurates, they are bringing that renaissance to readers everywhere. The subject matter of Sin and Its Remedy in Paul is grim, but there can be no making sense of Paul’s letters without it.
Matthew Novenson, University of Edinburgh
The Pauline corpus represents ‘sin’ and ‘sins’ in complex ways that continue to inform and to challenge how we understand our flawed humanity. In this fine set of essays by high-quality scholars, the key texts are probed with searching questions and analyzed by means of a fruitful array of models and frames. This is a rich conversation that deserves the attention of all students of Paul.
John M.G. Barclay, Durham University
Despite its popularity in humanity as a whole, sin is something of a neglected topic among interpreters of the Apostle Paul. This collection of stellar essays by prominent scholars reveals the depth, breadth, and variety of the Pauline perspective(s) on sin/Sin, thereby helping us also to understand better the amazing sin-conquering, transformative grace of God revealed in Christ and experienced through the Spirit.
Michael J. Gorman, St. Mary’s Seminary & University, Baltimore
Research into Paul’s theology has recently unmasked the complexity as well as the profundity of the meaning of sin – sin as transgression against God’s will, sin against one another, and sin as a cosmic power as an agent intent on leading humans to death. But, the apostolic vision is that sin has been defeated and can be defeated and is being defeated – in Christ’s death that killed death and brought new life, in the Spirit of life that brings new life to God’s people. This book, Sin and Its Remedy in Paul, is a constant reminder of the good power of God to overcome what most ails us.
Scot McKnight, Northern Seminary
